Thisuri Wanniarachchi
It was simply disgraceful listening to our members of the opposition speak in Nugegoda yesterday, but let’s get some facts straight.
First of all, let’s be real about crowd size. MR was President of this country for almost a decade. Don’t be awestruck by the fact that he can bring 5,000 people to a rally. I mean this was a man who got 6 million votes in 2010 and and 5 million in 2015, if he can’t bring a fraction of that down to a supermarket car park that’s not normal, so let’s chill about the numbers.
Secondly, this country is a democracy. That’s all we’ve got. That’s why it stung really hard when MR changed the democratic terms in our constitution to run for an extra term of Presidency. In political science, that’s called a constitutional coup. It happened in Congo, it happened in Burundi, it happened in Zimbabwe, and it happened in Sri Lanka in 2014. That’s what we went down in political science textbooks as, a country with constitutional coups. That shifts us from a democracy to an autocracy. We restored our democracy through the 19th amendment in 2015 so a President won’t have those executive powers to blackmail a parliament into a constitutional coup again. And now to hear Kumara Welgama say “We will make Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa the Prime Minister in 2017” is a threat to our democracy. MR ran for President and Prime Minister and lost both elections. Not just once, but twice. The people rejected him multiple times but he just won’t give up. MR has gone from a king and a savior to the creepy ex-boyfriend who keeps following you down the Nugegoda bus stand. We just want to be like, “dude, stop following us, just give up and go start a new life and take your loser friends with you.” We have to agree that despite the many decades of corruption in this country, the racism, the sexism, the homophobia, all we have had is the fact that we can vote every 4/6 years and choose our representatives. And for someone to threaten the core principle this country is held together by is disgraceful. And we must not take that lightly.
Thirdly, the homophobia. There were kids coming home from tuition classes yesterday, there were kids watching the news last night, who heard the classless words of these full grown adults yesterday. The fact that they think calling someone homosexual is an insult alone shows their miseducation. You want to call this government a homosexual government? Great. Then, that’s what it is. And guess what our homosexual government got us GSP+, a $1.5 billion IMF allocation, restored our diplomatic ties, gave MR and his JO friends the the freedom to protest and disrupt people’s daily life just to make a political statement, without being blocked by barricades, shot at or picked up later that night by a white van. So I’ll take a homosexual government any day over your Rajapaksa-Welgama-Weerawansa straight masculine macho government that put us $64 billion in debt, killed teenagers when they protested for clean water and changed the words in the constitution to their benefit.
I know you have frustrations with this current government, most of us do. Politics is frustrating. Think about it, for the first time in our history two of the largest parties in the country, that have for many decades shared completely opposing political views, built on opposite values and have run against and attacked each other are working together; of course it’s going to be frustrating. And if we are to grow, we have to be frustrated, we have to be angry, and we have to demand more. But don’t make the mistake of mixing up the frustration you have with the current government with the fear you felt of the previous one. There’s a big difference and we have to acknowledge that.
All this being said, yesterday made me incredibly proud. I realized that today our democracy is stronger than it ever was. My country is the kind of country that an opposition party with a minority of support can exercise their freedom of assembly, without being arrested, or obstructed. Tolerance is a key part of democracy and yesterday it shun brighter than ever, and we have (in the words of the JO) our homosexual government to thank for it.
Thisara / January 28, 2017
Those who asks who she is where she works she works for the presidential secretariat as an ‘ intern’.
/
Spitfire Neelis / January 29, 2017
Every body has to start somewhere!!! Being an intern to President is not a issue if you want to criticize the MR Cabal.
/
nihalka / January 28, 2017
Thisuri
Brilliant as always. You speak for all of us and turn our thoughts in to words better than we can. Let’s hope people will see the truth and the dumb, self-serving media in Sri Lanka will try to educate people, instead of trying to thrive on controversy. Keep it up.
/
Sach / January 28, 2017
What a stupid woman…an 64 billion dollars in debt??..LOL
/
Upali Magedaragamage / January 28, 2017
Good article. Very well explained. In a country where the political literacy(consciousness)is below 20% what else one can expect!!!
/
Seneka Goonewardene / January 28, 2017
MR has been humiliated but he still has not learnt a lesson. He so greedy and hoping to come back and make him more and more richer with the wealth of the country.
/
ahmed salim / January 28, 2017
well said and it is our duty to ensure these thugs n thieves are never given a chance to rise again to rob our nation.
/
Riz / January 28, 2017
Excellent article.Congratulations to you for your fearless sta4htement.
/
Non PhD / January 28, 2017
Why the joint opposition led by MR is so active now ? Most probable reason is the support to bring back MR by vested interest from Asia. They can afford to back up MR through various means.
/
Silva / January 28, 2017
Thisuri Wanniarachchi,
You put it very nicely! Thanks for the excellent write up.
/
Common Sense / January 28, 2017
The article talks of many an incident of power struggles and inter relationship between political entities of Sri Lanka. Amidst this, it is revealed that the Government is described as homosexual. In reality a section of the Government wants to promote the broader spectrum of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender) rights and not merely homosexualtiy. Another section considers this as utterly vulgar and unnatural. This division prevails even in the developed world though they have legalised or removed the illegality of them
Alas! in this country and possibly many others, homosexual (mostly refering to Gay) is linked closely with child abuse and consequently child pornography. When it comes to Lesbians the element of child abuse involved there is not quite heard of. Piously, we acclaim that any two adults must have the right to have any kind emotional relationship of their choice. But these are linked with some kind of childhood (legally childhood but biologically adult) experiences or aspirations acquired.
The subject is complex. Even conservative bastions like Lee Kuan Yew has acknowledged that sexual orientation has a relationship with genetic formation of the individual and is not within the control of the human and thereby implied that criminalising such behaviour is out of place.
Broadly, as a society, we have to agree on what grounds we do not discriminate each other, despite having differences, such as ethnicity, religion, beliefs, views expressed, sex, sexual orientation etc. But this list must have the consent of the people in general for it to be meanignfully operative.
/
Silva / January 29, 2017
Common Sense,
“But this list must have the consent of the people in general for it to be meanignfully operative. “
How logical and reasonable is it to expect “consent of the people” for a phenomenon that is not in the realm of “will” of the humans. Genetic traits do not depend on reasoning of the will.
/
jim softy / January 28, 2017
IS some of the words – Sexisum, Homosexual – you use explains the modern Sri lanka, Sri lanka is a pathetic country now.
Politicians are busy opening buildings, handing away govt appointments and talking. Country is a mess. Other than tthat, their only business is swindling country.
So, called journalists are into it.
See how they use the pen. Just destroy the country. IS the the modern culture ?
/
Malsha / January 28, 2017
And oh! You forgot to mention that the homosexual government got us black listed on Bloombers?
/
Words / January 28, 2017
This woman is a special kind of stupid! For the country to accept homosexuality.. [Edited out]
/
Silva / January 29, 2017
Words,
[Edited out] Seriously!
/
Anti-queer Movement / January 28, 2017
Thisuri,
So what is YOUR stand on homosexuality?
On Friday 20 January 2017, Dr. Wijedasa Rajapakse said that homosexuality is a mental illness. I agree with him.
The Judeo-Christian-Muslim monotheistic religions clearly say that homosexuality is a grave sin. Those who practice it will face judgement in hell. The Jewish and Muslim holy books go to the extent of saying that those who practice homosexuality should be stoned to death.
The problem is that far too many homosexuals are holding big positions in Sri Lanka. You cannot help people assuming that the attempt to legalize homosexuality is not a just a coincidence. The nation is thankful to the President who nipped this attempt to legalize right on time.
/
Lankan / January 28, 2017
Do you believe in all the miracles in those texts as well!?
/
Silva / January 29, 2017
Lankan,
“Do you believe in all the miracles in those texts as well!?”
Hak hak hak !!!! Good question for the lunatic comment!
/
SHG / January 29, 2017
You seems to sound like you know politics inside out. If we carefully analyze the article it’s very clear that u don’t know anything or you are just a henchmen of the government.
You statement about the government debt is very arguable and wrong.
Your statement about corruption applies to this government more than any other which had been in power so far.
Your statement about political freedom is an illusion. Even though they are allowed to rally, they are indirectly threatened by different ways such as FCID.
Its hard to write all these as I am on my phone. Just wanna say that Ur article is just rubbish
/
Don Mudalige / January 29, 2017
To call homosexuality or any sexual orientation in the LGBTQ spectrum, a mental illness is evidence that you nor anyone who thinks that is utterly uneducated in every sense. You are right though!! this a topic of debate where people can be very divided in every sense.
But to quote scripture as it was handed down to you by god himself is ludicrous. There can be only one truth not several. But the fact that we have different religions in the world is a testament that we as human beings are not enlightened enough to understand the real truth as it is meant to be. So our interpretations on what scripture is causes divisions. That is why we have different religions.. Most importantly that is why we have divisions even within a specific organized religion ( Christian, Catholic, Methodist, sunni, shiiyiite, Mahaywana, Heenayana )..If there was consensus we wouldn’t have division even within every organized religion. The point I am making is that interpretation of scripture is done with a human understanding. Not with divine intervention. You nor I , is enlightened enough to pass judgement on that fact. So please keep your scriptures to yourself as your interpretation of the Holy Scripture is vastly different than mine.
But to chastise a whole community of people because you don’t agree with their life choices is immoral and unjust. For you to claim that such acts unholy is no different from the radical terrorist groups around the world ( Jihadists and others ) who wage war on all nations because according to what they believe, everybody else who doesn’t believe in what they believe in are infidels, unholy. The only thing these people know is their own interpretation of their holy books. Yet, you call them uneducated and misguided. So I ask your self, Take a look in the mirror.. You are uneducated and misguided. Sexual Orientation is not a disease, who you chose to love is not a disease. Nature is self has many an example of different sexual orientations.. So educate yourself, before you are quick to judge.
I consider myself Christian Catholic. So despite what I hear from organized religion representatives, I choose to believe in one of the basic tenants of Christianity. “Love your Neighbor as yourself”. So I choose to love not to judge. If I call myself a Christian, then I have to believe that the new testament is a fulfillment of the old testament and that Jesus Christ, corrected most old testament views with ideology that supports “turning the other cheek” vs. “eye for an eye”…So I do agree in Marriage equality, gender rights, women’s rights.. and anything that will enlighten us as human beings because we accept each other.
/
sinhalese buddhist / January 28, 2017
Some say that homosexuality is a “western” concept that has no place in SL. (The Weekend Nation has an article supporting that thesis).
Sadly they are mistaken. There is documented history of homosexuality in almost all cultures and even among animals. Homosexuality is a natural phenomenon among all human beings.
Thus we do not have to ape the west in order to defend our homosexual family members/friends/neighbours. We can turn to our own spiritual traditions that are replete with ideas of tolerance and co-existence. That is IF we WANT to.
The problem is that there are elements amongst us who want to create animosity in our society and pit one group or people against another. Their agenda is to divide our people and reap the benefits of such division to gain power, so that they can continue to accumulate wealth and power – at the expense of our country.
Forget what the West is preaching about tolerance and homosexual human rights. Look inwardly to buddhist and hindu philosophy, and at our own south asian history to see how our societies have been much MORE tolerant than the witch-burning West. Follow the example of our ancestors and accept and celebrate our recognition of gender fluidity.
We do not have to ape the West in order to be good human beings. Let’s have a home-grown human rights agenda, to go back to our roots, and get rid of the shackles of Victorian colonialism. The first of these is the Law criminalizing sexual relations between people of the same biological sex!
/
Leelawathie / January 28, 2017
Yes, today I happened to watch a video documentary on the street kids in Pakistan for example. There I got to know those muslims in that country are just hypocrites, they do every harm to the younger age lads on the streets. These men have been sex-abusive men. On day light they go to mosgues and bend as no other to pray the gods they call allah, but in the real day life they abuse the street kids. Can you imagine ?
The kind of sexual afifinities have been entwined with human beings but social stigmatizations have led in every society to give the hetero style relationships to be norms. Bt today, how would we face it if our lovely ones would ahve been born like the kind of tendencies – shold we hand over them to a butchery… ? Those radical men of our society should wake up and widening their eyes -then only we can protect our offsprings.
/
jim softy / January 28, 2017
sinhalese buddhist
Some say that homosexuality is a “western” concept that has no place in SL. (The Weekend Nation has an article supporting that thesis).
HOmo sexuals are every where. Ijndian culture makes ponnaihs because they want them inside their temples.
IT is the western culture that suppresses, bash, discriminate homosexuals, PArticularly the catholic and Anglican culture.
In the west, you can see homos are discfiminated, sometimes beaten or killed. but, Asian culture do not have that kind of behaviours.
Some people think, that Westerners have the best human rights and they try to impose all their crap in Sri lanka. Actually, what western oriented homosexuals are looking for and dumb politicians want to enact, the right of homosexual men to wear women’s cloths, their right to make love in hide out places such as beaches, forests assigned to them and to have a big wound in their back and so they walk like weirods.
/
Lankan / January 28, 2017
sinhalese buddhist
The philosophies you mention may teach tolerance in general,
but it’s a fallacy to indicate south asian societies have been tolerant
towards those who are different to what’s considered normal.
At least the western world had the capacity to recognise what is tolerance
and safeguard the rights of all.
So please don’t preach lies.
/
Athula / January 28, 2017
//I realized that today our democracy is stronger than it ever was.// Excellent article! Every single sentence in the article is correct except this one. This sentence could only be correct if you considered only the post 77 era. Our democracy between 48 and 77 needs to be studied more thoroughly before coming to such a conclusion.
/
Anthony / January 29, 2017
This problem and article deals with two separate items:
1) The ‘legalisation’ of Homosexuality has a huge implication and is NOT just sexual. It allowes for Marriage (i.e the othe half now has claims to the other’s estate/wealth), adoption, promotion, etc.
2) Having a leader who is (purported to be) ‘Gay/Homosexual’ (I believe the person in question is asexual). If he/she is qualified for the job, then it is fine by me (I am Roman Catholic). But I am opposed on ‘legalization’ as I have stated in 1, above.
Now we have a 3rd point: Philandering, Adultry, sex-parties with Eunuchs (pansiays as known popularly in CMB), Stag/Doe parties with cakes made to look like sex organs and sex acts, etc – of which I have photographic evidence, which was rampant during the MR days, is also WRONG (i.e Sodomy).
So, is having a leader, as I said is purported to be ‘gay’ OK? I think so, as long as he/she does not use his/her offices to legalize ‘sodomy’.
The question should be ‘Is he capable to do the job?’ and did MR and ‘gang’ do a good job with the Parties, the Dhammika Perera’s of PABC fame, etc. etc…
To conclude, isn’t it high time that members of that ‘gang’ be investigated for corruption, money laundering, sodomy and if guilty put in Jail?
I guess I have arbitrated the case for Sri Lanka, above.
Final note, It does not matter where Thisuri and the likes are employed… if the message is genuine!
As I say, Sri Lanka stood alone against the whole world during the LTTE war, we won the war, but we may lose the country!
This problem and article deals with two separate items:
1) The ‘legalisation’ of Homosexuality has a huge implication and is NOT just sexual. It allowes for Marriage (i.e the othe half now has claims to the other’s estate/wealth), adoption, promotion, etc.
2) Having a leader who is (purported to be) ‘Gay/Homosexual’ (I believe the person in question is asexual). If he/she is qualified for the job, then it is fine by me (I am Roman Catholic). But I am opposed on ‘legalization’ as I have stated in 1, above.
Now we have a 3rd point: Philandering, Adultry, sex-parties with Eunuchs (pansiays as known popularly in CMB), Stag/Doe parties with cakes made to look like sex organs and sex acts, etc – of which I have photographic evidence, which was rampant during the MR days, is also WRONG (i.e Sodomy).
So, is having a leader, as I said is purported to be ‘gay’ OK? I think so, as long as he/she does not use his/her offices to legalize ‘sodomy’.
The question should be ‘Is he capable to do the job?’ and did MR and ‘gang’ do a good job with the Parties, the Dhammika Perera’s of PABC fame, etc. etc…
To conclude, isn’t it high time that members of that ‘gang’ be investigated for corruption, money laundering, sodomy and if guilty put in Jail?
I guess I have arbitrated the case for Sri Lanka, above.
Final note, It does not matter where Thisuri and the likes are employed… if the message is genuine!
As I say, Sri Lanka stood alone against the whole world during the LTTE war, we won the war, but we may lose the country!
/
ramona therese fernando / January 29, 2017
Thisuri,
It’s more about how the GoSL performed after 2015…..shameful indeed! So therefore, 2017 take-over is the natural outcome.
Homosexuality can only belong to the upper classes who have resources to good bathing facilities and much rest and sleep after many encounters with multiple partners (and too many Lankans are prone to not bathing). Without washing facilities, comes much disease. Homo encounters do not use the intended channels for…… encountering – so it is extremely unhealthy. Cleansing and better health facilities can only be for the upper crust, again. Therefore, to protect the struggling masses, it’s best that homo-sexuality (meant to be borne by the upper-crust), remains in the closet.
Once homo-lifestyle become vogue, hetero-lifestlyes become boring and miserable. Homo-lifestlyes encourage monogamous relationships to become promiscuous. The human need to curb excess desires of the flesh become much reduced. When it becomes main-stream news, people will start thinking about it and experimenting. Thus will society become an unhealthy one. Society e.g. will soon be weakened by foreign forces intent on invasion (very much like the opium wars).
Even if they make vows on one partner, the vows are sham, for they will not have natural-offspring. Without natural born offspring, the tenacity to take new partners will be far higher than hetero-partners with children. Hetro marriages are confined to monogamy for the sake of natural-born progeny….I meant they might falter once in a while, yet it is still a far reduced no. of encounters compared to the homos).
Previously, those who started thinking about it (in the absence of knowledge about it), thought they were mad, and got over it quickly. True homosexuality is extremely rare, yet needs human-rights protection.
In the past, religious orders looked after this need within rules and regulations. Religious orders were about transcending the desires of the flesh, but homos were included to safe-guard contamination of society. Then homos too, subject to rules and regulations probably remained as monogamous couples did before realizing the need to remove excess earthly desires.
/
Sylvia Haik / January 29, 2017
Thanks, Thisuri Wanniarachchi for your brilliant observation. From some of the comments here, MR is still capable of fooling “Some of the people, some of the time”. Beats me why MR has not been charged with at least, Embezzlement, and not been asked the question as to where he and his siblings got the money from to purchase mansions in Oklahoma, USA and acres in Sri Lanka. Chief Minister Jayalalitha of Tamil Nadu was asked how she had accumulated her fortune and was convicted.
/
villageman / January 29, 2017
In Sri Lanka politicians are above the law and no need to explain how they earn money. Rishad Bathiudeen started as a refugee boy, now he and his family members are billionaires, is it possible with a salary alone of a Minister?.
/
SITHY Hussain / January 29, 2017
Did Thisuri Wanniarachchi just graduate ? This is something a 12-yr old would write. But for an adult – it’s best described as ‘clutching at straws’. Sri Lanka is DROWNING. There is absolutely NOTHING positive to write about the situation Sri Lanka is in.
GSP+, IMF loans does not do ANYTHING for a country where corruption indexes have risen and Bloomberg has deemed it as high risk for investors. Not sure whether homosexuality has anything much to do with the mess we are in but the democracy that she crows about is only evident in the manifold protests that inconvenience the public and are now a daily occurrence. If that is all that needs to satisfy the Sri Lankan voter then Sri Lanka deserves the mess they are in.
/
Angie / January 29, 2017
Wonderfully well written. It was a pure joy to read.
/
ayboyyyyyy / January 29, 2017
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
/
K A Sumanasekera / January 29, 2017
Miss , do you stir fry Jack leaves and crouton with mince pork and halapino chillies?.
Our rural majority can’t get even jadi to infuse some flavour , while you are enjoying fine dining in your cool Democracy.
76 Seats to JO. 26 to UNP and And Sira Party Zilth . Big Zero.
Did someone here say, this Miss is an intern in the Prez Secretariat?.
I don’t think she can even count, because big mouth UNP Harrison who seems to be going well with Ethanol, says 8000 came to the JO Rally.
No wonder Bodui Sira is scared shitless, to allow his partner Batalanada Ranil to go even for Gamsaba Elections.
BTW , you seem to have very good potential to be an Advertising Exec..
Calling it a Poofter Government is brilliant….
/
US / January 29, 2017
Ms. Thisuri! Can you elaborate on matters related to the following instead of barking at the wrong tree! This is from WWW:
“Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) have been rising among gay and bisexual men, with increases in syphilis being seen across the country. In 2014, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men accounted for 83% of primary and secondary syphilis cases where sex of sex partner was known in the United States. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men often get other STDs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. HPV (Human papillomavirus), the most common STD in the United States, is also a concern for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Some types of HPV can cause genital and anal warts and some can lead to the development of anal and oral cancers. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are 17 times more likely to get anal cancer than heterosexual men. Men who are HIV-positive are even more likely than those who do not have HIV to get anal cancer.”
/
NoFrames / January 29, 2017
The writer thinks that she has the percievement of general public, where she’s hugely mistaken. This government, for which she sin praises, have failed in every possible way.
The decriminalizing of homosexuality alone would have not created such furor but the shameful conditions that current government have agreed to get the GSP+ is the issue. This law the pushed down the throats of our people.
The right way is to have a referendum on this and if pro-LGBT fraction loses, accept that. Together with this comes de-centralizin of power, decentralizing land and police powers, which will allow de-facto states in north and east given the uber racism rampant in those areas.
/
B k V Wilson Karunaratne / January 29, 2017
Is obtaining an IMF bailout for a faltering economy an achievement?
Is the inability to implement a budget competency?
Has any other country changed the fundamental rate of its indirect tax this often due to the above?
Is the damning indictment by Corruption watchdogs proof that any progress has been made?
Is GSP+ confirmed, or is it subject to ratifying the condition about gay rights and others?
What about the loans taken withoout visible development and the long term economic repercussions of the Bond scandal?
Conclusion….the young person doesn’t know whar she is talking about
/
Savi / January 29, 2017
Another very privileged article (Nugegoda, seriously?). Looks like new and well-researched/investigated pieces are not coming from CT or MS. Wanniarachchi anymore. This is a disgruntled theorization at best that is neither informed by strong democractic values nor an in-depth understanding of contemporary Sri Lankan politics.
/
Jehan / January 29, 2017
Why is it anyone else’s business what two consenting adults do in their bedroom? Why are our political and religious leaders obsessed with ruminating over and policing the sexual behaviour of other people? Has our great and ancient nation advanced so much that there are no other problems to worry about?
/
Dot / January 29, 2017
If we want to critical of the present set up at an opposition rally there is enough ground ..but the matter is that the present set up never imagined that their hands would be ties up with the wheeling and dealing of the past all legal within the interpretation of the law ..for law indeed is an ass .as cited by Charles Dickens ..for the law does not protect all people in the same manner . But to use epithets like calling people a bunch of Homo sexuals is so year archaic , so antiquated beyond reasoning .. We do not use colour or gender to have a go at people ..Not like the days when a king was sent womens jewelery to insult him ..for being a woman is dignified and equally intelligent . Sexist racist and homophobic comments are of the past and if we are to educate our kids , our youth who get the right to vote at 18 then we should have a better language..of this age of knowledge at the finger tips , for they know the difference between a predator of any sexual leanings from the relationship between two adults that hurt no one Called a fairy , ..Dragging sons and daughters who like people of the same sex to the alter for acceptance from the society create untold grief for those in such partnership .Many a parent is now accepting the truth when their sons tell them Mom Dad I am different and they do not stop loving them and helping them to achieve may be as artist , as fashion designers and even Doctors , lawyers and Politicians our sexuality like our religion is so private and even our death is our own and no other ,,..and so please do not cross the line to hurt others or ridicule others .
/
Kevin Perera / January 29, 2017
One of the best articles I’ve read in the very long time. As everyone can see the youth of the nation do not share the same political views as the so called MP’s of this country. And it is a matter of time, before the light illuminates all injustice. Keep up the good work.
/